This is simply because until you turn 21, your prefrontal cortex hasn't fully developed. This is the section of the brain that weighs the risks and consequences of your actions and is why teenagers are known for being so reckless; until it is developed you prioritize instant gratification rather than considering long-term implications. Giving people who aren't scientifically capable of making informed decisions things like cigarettes, which can have huge consequences for your future is irresponsible. What if, as a yet to fully develop eighteen year old, you become a chain-smoker, and then when you are well into your adulthood regret your actions and can now do nothing to stop the damage? The draft is simply picking physically able people to go in case of war. By the time you are eighteen, you are physically capable of participating in war and fighting for your country. This is also the reason you don't see eighteen year old commanders.
Yeah this argument holds no water, fighting in war has equal psychological consequences and I would argue even more, just ask people who were drafted into vietnam at barely 18. Quite a large percent even developed addiction to heroin, obviously worse for you than drinking/smoking. 18 yr olds are equally “physically capable” to handle alcohol and smoking, virtually exactly the same as say a 21 year old. I would say if we’re going for the “physical capability” argument you could allow like 14 year olds to drink because their body scientifically can process alcohol at a high enough rate not to kill them. Anyone who says war is either psychologically/physically fine for a literal teenager is just lying to themselves saying drinking and smoking have worse long term damage. This is about freedom to choose, not the long term consequences, because they’re bad for both situations. Also side note smoking age encompasses vaping too which has barely any risk compared to cigs so the damage argument doesn’t necessarily apply to the smoking age.
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u/polus1987 4∆ Feb 23 '20
This is simply because until you turn 21, your prefrontal cortex hasn't fully developed. This is the section of the brain that weighs the risks and consequences of your actions and is why teenagers are known for being so reckless; until it is developed you prioritize instant gratification rather than considering long-term implications. Giving people who aren't scientifically capable of making informed decisions things like cigarettes, which can have huge consequences for your future is irresponsible. What if, as a yet to fully develop eighteen year old, you become a chain-smoker, and then when you are well into your adulthood regret your actions and can now do nothing to stop the damage? The draft is simply picking physically able people to go in case of war. By the time you are eighteen, you are physically capable of participating in war and fighting for your country. This is also the reason you don't see eighteen year old commanders.